PITTSBURGH — Notre Dame survived an upset bid by Northeastern to advance to the third round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Thursday.

The Fighting Irish (29-5) let an 11-point second half lead slip away in the closing minutes as the Huskies cut the lead to 67-65 with 32 seconds remaining on a Scott Eatherton basket.

Zach Auguste, who finished with 25 points and five rebounds, hit both free throws with two seconds remaining to seal the victory. Auguste was 10-of-14 from the field and 5-of-7 at the free throw line for the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame, which will face the winner of the Butler-Texas game Saturday, also got 17 points from Jerian Grant and nine points each from Demetrius Jackson and Pat Connaughton.

Eatherton led the Huskies (23-11) with 18 points. David Walker added 15 points.

Notre Dame was 27-of-48 (56 percent) from the field and Northeastern was 27-of-55 (49 percent).

The Fighting Irish were outrebounded by the Huskies 30-16.

 

NCAA Second Round

At Pittsburgh

NOTRE DAME 69,

NORTHEASTERN 65

Northeastern 65

Zach Stahl 8, Scott Eatherton 18, Quincy Ford 9, T.J. Williams 7, David Walker 15, Reggie Spencer 8, Caleb Donnelly 0. TOTALS: 27 8-10 65

Notre Dame 69

Zach Auguste 25, Jerian Grant 17, Steve Vasturia 3, Demetrius Jackson 9, Pat Connaughton 9, Austin Torres 2, Bonzie Colson 4. TOTALS: 27 13-18 69

Halftime score: Notre Dame 31, Northeastern 65. Shooting: Northeastern 27-of-55 (49 percent), Notre Dame 27-of-48 (56 percent). Total fouls (fouled out): Northeastern 12 (none), Notre Dame 13 (none). Records: Northeastern 23-11, Notre Dame 29-45